Somm In The Cityhttp://www.somminthecity.com
Food, Wine, Travel and Luxury!Mon, 20 May 2019 17:39:10 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.10Warm Weather Wines $20 and Under!http://www.somminthecity.com/warm-weather-wines-20-and-under/
http://www.somminthecity.com/warm-weather-wines-20-and-under/#respondMon, 20 May 2019 14:47:05 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12774The warm weather is finally here (we hope). Even though some mornings feel a little chilly still, it’s nice to know that spring is here and summer is not far behind. If you follow me on Instagram, you can see I have been tasting a lot recently to compile a fun list of my top warm […]

]]>The warm weather is finally here (we hope). Even though some mornings feel a little chilly still, it’s nice to know that spring is here and summer is not far behind. If you follow me on Instagram, you can see I have been tasting a lot recently to compile a fun list of my top warm weather wines for you! Here you will find some great whites and rosés that were chosen to pair well with picnics, brunches, pool sides, and beach days.

White Wines

2017 Bonterra Dry Muscat– What a stunning wine! It’s a single vineyard expression from the Bartolucci family, who are experts on organic farming. This wine is wildly expressive with tangerine, honeysuckle, and orange notes with a playful palate full of grapefruit and warm spice. This is a great warm weather wine to enjoy with light bites including seasonal tapas as well as seafood and grilled vegetables. $16

2018 Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc- Another winner from the Bonterra vineyard. It’s fresh and lively with a touch of Chardonnay added to give it complex and layering flavors. This is a new world style Sauvignon Blanc with nice aromas of grass, kiwi, and citrus. A nice palate and balanced finish make this wine a perfect “porch sipper”. $14

2016 Attitude by Pascal Jolivet Sauvignon Blanc- This sauvignon blanc from the Loire Valley balances exhilarating freshness, with minerality. This is an elegant white wine with notes of lemon, fresh herbs, and green apple. This wine makes the perfect accompaniment to seafood, asparagus, cheese and so much more. Overall it will entice you with its delicate green flavors and nice kiwi notes followed by an elegant finish. $16.99

Andriano 2015 Finado Pinot Bianco- A beautiful white from Alto Adige, Italy! Something new and exciting to bring outside and enjoy this season. This grape is often misunderstood and is delicately scented, with notes of white spring flowers and orchard fruit. The crisp palate is similar to the nose, showing apple, pear, and citrus flavors. This wine also has bright acidity and a hint of wet stone. $19

2014 St. Michael Eppan Schulthauser Weissburgunder, Pinot Bianco– Another stunner from Alto Adige. This wine is green and flinty with notes of citrus and nice minerality. On the palate, it’s crisp with nice acidity and beautiful body. A lot of ripened fruit is attractive about this wine, as well as it’s floral aromas and elegance. Overall this is a wine that makes a great aperitif or pairing with a chilled seafood dish. $19.99

2017 Butternut Chardonnay– A California sipper for those who enjoy rich tropical flavors and creamy notes. This Chardonnay has a nice mouthfeel with coconut and vanilla notes, which is great with barbecue and warm summer evenings. If you like a big buttery chardonnay with nice fruit flavors and balance, this is the Chardonnay for you! $17

2016 Vinum Cellars Chenin Blanc– A beautiful Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg, California. This wine shows fresh melon, tart apples, and juicy acidity. It’s still acidic and dry with sweet green apple and some nectar flavors. Clarksburg, CA is located on the Sacramento River and is home to some premier wineries! This Chenin Blanc is pleasant and delicious and a fun one to bring to a party where they enjoy new grapes and unique wines! $15

Rosé Wines

Cavicchioli 1928 Spumante Rosé– From Modena, Italy! This pretty sparkling wine with a bottle design that embodies spring, this rosé is perfect for the first toast on your favorite garden patio. This bottle of bubbly is made from Italy’s Lambrusco grapes in Modena. The pleasantly sweet sparkling rosé has notes of strawberry and rose, with a crisp finish to complement any occasion outdoors. $12

2018 Mouton Cadet Bordeaux- A beautiful rosé from the Baron Phillipe De Rothschild. This wine is a nice coral color with fresh red fruit aromas, strawberry, and hints of mint. This wine is absolutely delicious with a lingering finish and nice freshness and fruit. The clay soils here in Côtes de Blaye give the wines plenty of fruit while the limestone in the soils brings that elegance you will feel when sipping this wine. $13.99

2018 Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rosé Réserve– A Southern Rhône Valley wine with chalky and stony soils. The Mediterranean climate has a nice influence in this area producing some of the best rosés! This wine is 75% Grenache, 15% Cinsault, and 10% Syrah with a lovely pink color with full flavor and a lingering freshness. This wine is great to bring to a lively get-together and is completely price friendly at $11.99.

2018 Clarendelle Rosé- Inspired by Haut-Brion, the 2018 vintage was a year of great contrasts. This wine features a great balance between sugar and acidity. It’s a pale color with a delicate nose and hints of rose petal, raspberries, red currants, and more. On the palate, it’s round and mineral driven with some slight saline. This is a great success wine from a memorable Bordeaux vintage! $14.99

2018 By. OTT, Domaines OTT – A Provence rosé that is very well known and truly delicious. This wine is blended and bottled in the new Château de Selle cellar, where part of the winery is exclusively devoted to its production. It is an elegant extension to the Domaines Ott* range and has a nose of peach, apricot, and mango. On the palate its crisp with citrus zest and some nice spice. $20

2018 Butternut Rosé– Sourced from two vineyards in the central coast. Sweet watermelon and citrus on the nose followed by nice grapefruit and acidity. Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes, this California wine is a must-have for any poolside or beach day. $14.99

Now that you have thirteen wines to choose from, it’s time to go out and purchase some to enjoy with friends, family, and more! Always remember to eat what you like and drink what you love, and please pair responsibly.

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/warm-weather-wines-20-and-under/feed/0PhoBar NYC!http://www.somminthecity.com/phobar-nyc/
http://www.somminthecity.com/phobar-nyc/#respondFri, 17 May 2019 14:32:33 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12780Have you had the delicious experience that is Pho? This Vietnamese noodle soup in broth is comforting and hearty and NYC has many of them. I recently checked out PhoBar on Mott Street in Chinatown. Normally I enjoy pho more in the winter but since this May has been pretty rainy and cold I had […]

]]>Have you had the delicious experience that is Pho? This Vietnamese noodle soup in broth is comforting and hearty and NYC has many of them. I recently checked out PhoBar on Mott Street in Chinatown. Normally I enjoy pho more in the winter but since this May has been pretty rainy and cold I had no problem devouring some Pho at this great spot!

One of the best things about New York City is that there is such a variety of food and every neighborhood is different. This Chinatown spot is always busy because the Pho is full of flavor, competitively priced, and the service rocks. I started out with a glass of Cape Mentelle Australian rosé paired with some Fried Seafood Spring Rolls. The spring rolls are packed with enticing savory flavors and shrimp, and make a perfect share-able appetizer. These went well with the bright and fruit forward wine due to the rolls salty, sweet yet savory taste and crunchiness. Overall these are a must have!

After the spring rolls, we ordered two types of Pho, because simply ordering one is never enough. Pho is great to share, because they give you smaller bowls to enjoy multiple if you choose to do so. We decided to try the Beef Ball Pho, which is extremely popular and comes with a lot of hearty meat, plenty of rice noodles, and a delectable rich broth. It’s warm and packed with earth and meat flavors which also complimented the Australian rosé. Alongside the first Pho we also tried a spicier one which was the Spicy Short Rib Pho. This one was pretty spicy, however it is also wonderful and really impressive with the massive short rib and intense flavors. If you enjoy spicy food, this Pho is for you! They have many other popular flavors including Lobster Pho, Mushroom Pho, and Grilled Lemongrass and Chicken Pho. They also offer three different types of broths, depending on the richness and flavors you are seeking. I chose the 8 hour broth, since that’s standard, but have heard amazing things about the 25 hour “crazy rich broth”.

Overall if you’re looking for a satisfying culinary experience, I highly recommend spending the day in Chinatown and stopping by PhoBar. I was wildly impressed between the Pho selections, wines by the glass, and service!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/phobar-nyc/feed/0Somm In The Bridal Suite: Bridesmaid Dresses and Rosé Pairings!http://www.somminthecity.com/bridesmaid-dresses-and-rose-pairings/
http://www.somminthecity.com/bridesmaid-dresses-and-rose-pairings/#respondThu, 16 May 2019 12:55:30 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12771It is officially “Yes Way Rosé” season as well as wedding season! Even though weddings happen year round (just like rosé sipping) I find spring and summer are popular times for parties, rosé, and celebrating. Now, this type of article is new for me, however this year I am also a Maid of Honor for […]

]]>It is officially “Yes Way Rosé” season as well as wedding season! Even though weddings happen year round (just like rosé sipping) I find spring and summer are popular times for parties, rosé, and celebrating. Now, this type of article is new for me, however this year I am also a Maid of Honor for my twin sisters wedding, and it’s my first time in this type of position!

From bridesmaid coordination to bachelorette party planning, and so much more, I have been filled with emotions and ideas on just what a “Somm” should do when it comes to helping my bride get ready for the big day. One thing my sister did ask for was for me to pick out her wedding wines, wines that will be served during the reception, and of course, wines for her bridal shower that she could start her own at home cellar with. This is on top of all of the other MOH duties I have, and I must say, the wine part is my favorite!

When it comes to pleasing everyone’s palates including the bridesmaids and the bride, I have learned that flexibility, flavor, and color are everything. Not only do you have to pick a dress that coordinates well with all the bridesmaids, but the color is everything. It’s typical for the bride to give something to the bridal party on the wedding day as well, while we are all getting ready. I certainly think some rosé pairings are in order, and pleasing everyone’s palate while keeping to a budget can be difficult, but do-able. Thanks to the Wines of Provence, you will find a great rosé to pair with your bridesmaid dresses. Whether they’re the color of the wine you choose, or just simply pair well with the dress style, here are some fun things to keep in mind. From delicate hues of blush to deep and fiery coral, the Wines of Provence span the whole pink color palette. Here they have provided some great color palate ideas for dresses that are paired with some amazing rosés and great women!

Peach– Like the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence Château Barbebelle Héritage and the ethereal and romantic palette chosen by the actress Kirsten Dunst.

I decided to choose some of my top wines to pair with the dresses that match the colors seen above. After tasting a bunch of rosés for you (I know, such a hard job), I have narrowed it down to four faves to gift to your girls before the big wedding day!

1. 2018 Chateau de Berne, Inspiration, Côtes de Provence– Elegant and stylish with a nose of robust strawberry, rose petal, and fresh red berries. This wine is bright and crisp with attractive fruit flavors and some herbal notes. This one is perfect for a bridal party who enjoys elegance as well as complexity. ~ $25

2. 2015 Domaine Sainte-Marie, VieVité Extraordinaire, Côtes de Provence- Another elegant rosé with fresh fruit and floral notes. It’s a delicate rosé that pairs beautifully with warm sunny days and the peach and pomelo colored dresses above. This wine is perfect for the bridal party that drinks rosé all day and all summer long! ~ $22

4. 2018 Château de Saint Martin, Eternelle Favorite Cru Classé, Côtes de Provence– This Provence Cru Classé estate has produced a refreshingly fruity wine. With its red-currant and citrus flavors and tight mineral acidity, it is textured and really crisp. Overall between the gorgeous label, delicious juice, and unique but flattering bottle shape, this wine will win the hearts of any bridal party! ~ $24

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love! Please pair responsibly!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/bridesmaid-dresses-and-rose-pairings/feed/0Elegance In Every Sip: Champagne Collet!http://www.somminthecity.com/elegance-in-every-sip-champagne-collet/
http://www.somminthecity.com/elegance-in-every-sip-champagne-collet/#respondTue, 14 May 2019 12:16:19 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12776I had the absolute pleasure of tasting Champagne Collet recently on a beautiful sunny day last month. Champagne is very special but should be consumed more than just on special occasions. I believe Champagne can be splurge-worthy and is something not to overlook when enjoying a nice day with your friends or a special someone, […]

]]>I had the absolute pleasure of tasting Champagne Collet recently on a beautiful sunny day last month. Champagne is very special but should be consumed more than just on special occasions. I believe Champagne can be splurge-worthy and is something not to overlook when enjoying a nice day with your friends or a special someone, who enjoys wine as much as you do. If I were to bring this to a party, it would be to give to people who understand Champagne enough to enjoy how fine it is.

Since 1921, Maison Collet has been producing notable champagnes that attract to a clientele of demanding wine lovers, in search of authentic, elegant and refined champagnes. Established in Aÿ, in the heart of the Champagne region, Maison Collet uses primarily Premier and Grand Crus in its wines. This displays the diversity of the Champagne terroirs within the region. This Champagne although is a great aperitif, is also a gastronomic wine, that can be paired with many different foods.

We started the reception with Spicy Tuna Tartar in a lotus cup with wasabi caviar. Paired was the Collet Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru, NV. This bottle ranges about $55 and is absolutely stunning, aged a minimum of five years, and made from the best crus of chardonnay. It’s a gold colored wine with delicate bubbles and a nose of floral notes and some citrus. On the palate, it’s lovely and complex with beautiful length.

After we sat down for a few courses paired with more Collet. The Suhu Shrimp with ginger, garlic, and soy sauce reduction was a winner with the Collet Brut Rosé and the Collet Brut Art Deco Premier Cru. I really enjoy Champagne with fried foods, and the shrimp, which was lightly fried, and dressed with the garlic ginger soy sauce, really highlighted the red fruit flavors and minerality in the rosé. The Brut Art Deco is made from 40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier. Each grape contributes a quality or characteristic to this wine.

-Chardonnay adds freshness and citrus notes.

– Pinot Noir adds richness and power

– Meunier adds roundness

The Brut Art Deco is around $40 and is exceptionally charming. The brut rosé sells for around $55 and is very seductive, tender, and harmonious. Overall these make a wonderful gift that won’t completely break the bank and for the quality of these wines, the prices are great.

After a delicious appetizer, we dove into the main course with Collet Collection Privée 2008 and the Collet Esprit Couture. Paired was the Herb Crusted Sea Bass with lemon thyme chardonnay sauce. The Brut 2008 is made from 75% Chardonnay and partly vinified in oak barrels, which brings freshness and minerality with notes of brioche. There is also 20% Pinor Noir for richness and power, and 5% Meunier to give it roundness. Overall this wine expresses beautiful pastry, butter, and apple notes with fresh lemon acidity and toasted bread flavors. This wine is complex and aged eight years! The Esprit Couture Excellence, on the other hand, is also stunning and aged a minimum of seven years. It has a nose of candied citrus with nice elegance, mineral tension in the mouth, and nice balance. This wine is hand-made and is a prestige cuvée of Maison Collet, produced as an interpretation of Haute Couture made from a rare assemblage of six selected crus, including grand crus and premier crus.

For the grand finale, we finished with Coconut Rice Pudding with peach and sage. I am not usually a fan of rice pudding, but will always try it. This dessert was paired with the Collet Demi-Sec, a luscious champagne ideal for sweets. Made from 50% Meunier and 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Noir, this wine has aged a minimum of three years and is light and crisp. It has beautiful balance and fine sweet flavors.

For those seeking some outstanding Champagnes to pair with spring and summer, I absolutely recommend Champagne Collet. These wines are great prices for the quality and elegance they express, and I guarantee you will love every single sip!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/elegance-in-every-sip-champagne-collet/feed/0A Sweet Experience at Savannah Bee Companyhttp://www.somminthecity.com/a-sweet-experience-at-savannah-bee-company/
http://www.somminthecity.com/a-sweet-experience-at-savannah-bee-company/#respondSun, 05 May 2019 20:22:08 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12763While visiting Savannah, Georgia I had the pleasure of stopping by Savannah Bee Company. They have quite a few locations in the city, but there is one shop, in particular, I really loved. The SBC location on Broughton Street is colorful with a mead bar, honey tasting bar, and a fun kids area. The store […]

]]>While visiting Savannah, Georgia I had the pleasure of stopping by Savannah Bee Company. They have quite a few locations in the city, but there is one shop, in particular, I really loved. The SBC location on Broughton Street is colorful with a mead bar, honey tasting bar, and a fun kids area. The store is filled with different kinds of honey, flavors, beauty products, and fun Savannah bee swag.

When visiting I went straight to the mead bar, since I had already had a few rounds of honey the day before on my Savannah Taste Experience tour. First and foremost, if you’re new to mead here are some things to know:

Mead is an alcoholic beverage fermented from honey and water.

The ABV or alcohol content can range from 3.5%-17% or more just like wine.

Mead can be still, carbonated, naturally sparkling, semi-sweet, and sweet.

Mead is sometimes also blended with other fruit, spices, grains, and ingredients for more flavor and aromatics.

We started off with the Stigmata, a hibiscus session mead with rose, elderflower, and light hops. This mead is from Georgia’s first meadery: Monks Meadery and is bright, floral, and superb for summer sipping! After the stigmata was a fun sour mead, called Bee-Town from South Carolina. This sour mead is made with sour cherry and is really delightful if you enjoy sour flavors. I enjoy sour beers, especially on very hot days, so this mead was perfect for the warm Savanah weather.

They have quite a selection of meads here, and the staff behind the bar are all very knowledgeable and passionate about meads. After the sour mead came a fun mead called Nectar of the Hopsfrom Redstone Meadery. Its a mead with hops, and subtle sweetness that is playful and sparkling! On a hot summer day hanging by the pool, this would be a fun mead to begin the day with because it makes a delicious aperitif. Savannah Bee Company also produces their own mead, and one I really loved was the Tupelo Blossom hand-bottled mead. It’s bright and floral, and honestly is great on its own but I would also love it in a cocktail too!

Last, but certainly not least, I had the pleasure of tasting a mead that reminded me of my childhood (not that I was drinking mead as a child) because it tasted like YooHoo! The Chocol’ha by Crafted Artisan Meadery is fun, cocoa driven, and very smooth. There are subtle hints of creaminess and chocolate notes, which is why it reminded me of childhood chocolate drinks. This mead I would enjoy on a cooler summer evening by the firepit, it would be ideally paired with salty popcorn or s’ mores!

Overall while you’re in Savannah, I recommend stopping by one of the Savannah Bee Company locations. You’ll learn a lot, taste a lot, and it’s really a wonderful experience. Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/a-sweet-experience-at-savannah-bee-company/feed/0Savannah Taste Experience!http://www.somminthecity.com/savannah-taste-experience/
http://www.somminthecity.com/savannah-taste-experience/#respondSun, 05 May 2019 15:49:03 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12754Recently I had the opportunity to visit a city that’s been on the bucket list for a long time now. Savannah is known for its history, food, and beauty and that’s exactly what we experienced! The food was one of the biggest reasons for taking the trip. I had the pleasure of partnering with Savannah […]

]]>Recently I had the opportunity to visit a city that’s been on the bucket list for a long time now. Savannah is known for its history, food, and beauty and that’s exactly what we experienced! The food was one of the biggest reasons for taking the trip. I had the pleasure of partnering with Savannah Taste Experience, where we spent the afternoon eating our way through the delicious city! The tour was led by Lynn, who is a Savannah native and very entertaining. She’s engaging and really gives you a one on one experience, even in a group of seventeen. I decided to try the First Squares Food Tour, which is a really great tour of all the spots in and around the squares of Savannah.

Savannah has a lot of squares, and a lot of restaurant options which is why doing a food tour is a great idea. It gets you to try a lot of different places without overindulging. I think when traveling to a new city, and seeing all that is has to offer is important, so taking food tours like Savannah Taste Experience is a great idea.

Now, because Savannah is a city where you can walk around with your alcoholic beverage, you can bring your cocktail on your tour. I started off before the tour at the Georgia Tasting Room for a Peach Moonshine Slushie. It’s delicious and refreshing and makes a great start to a food-filled afternoon. We started off at 22 Squared with Shrimp and Grits! It’s a restaurant and bar located in the Andaz, Savannah. This dish was delicious, and I loved the salty bacon combined with the fresh shrimp and warm, cheesy grits.

Stop two on the tour was Pie Society, a traditional British bakery. The Sausage Roll is savory, flaky, and really delicious. This quaint spot is a great stop to hit while walking around the squares of Savannah. After the sausage roll, we walked to Molly McPhearsons where we enjoyed Shepards Pie. Here you will find a great pub, delicious food, and an old world atmosphere. This place is a staple here in Savannah and it’s great to see this style dining in the city.

The tour has around six stops, so it’s a lot of food to take in during the three hours. Luckily it is a walking tour so I felt like I was able to eat all of the food, and never felt too stuffed. One of my favorite stops of the tour The Ordinary Pub! Here we enjoyed a Pork Belly Glazed Donut Sandwich which was out of this world, amazing. Honestly, I don’t love sweet things, but because of the savory and sweet pork belly combined with the glazed donut, it really was sinfully delicious. After the pub, we went to a wonderful cocktail bar called Savannah Spirits Speakeasy. This spot has great craft cocktails, a chic vibe, and delicious food. I really enjoyed the Crab Cake we tasted on the tour because the seafood in Savannah is extremely fresh and very good. We wound up loving this spot so much, because of the cocktails, that we went back two more times during the trip!

The last stop was a sweet way to end the tour at Savannah Bee Company. Here we enjoyed a sweet honey tasting along with some fruit and cheese. Alongside the honey, were pastries made with Savannah Bee Co. honey which is delicious on its own as well as on foods. The day after this tour, I had already planned to visit this spot for a mead tasting, so it was nice to get a delicious preview before my experience. The store and tasting room is bright and cheerful, filled with tons of honey and products you will want.

If you’re visiting Savannah, I absolutely recommend doing a food tour. This taste experience is a great way to try a lot of spots, and still, enjoy your day. Be sure to check out the First Squares Food Tour next time you’re visiting this food-centric city!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/savannah-taste-experience/feed/0Six Rosés To Sip This Spring!http://www.somminthecity.com/six-roses-to-sip-this-spring/
http://www.somminthecity.com/six-roses-to-sip-this-spring/#respondThu, 18 Apr 2019 11:08:58 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12732Rosé season is here! Even if you sip it all year round, there’s nothing like drinking rosé in the warm weather; it almost feels essential! With the rosé market blowing up, it’s hard to pick just one rosé and choices can be tough to decipher in the store. Here’s a great list of six rosés […]

]]>Rosé season is here! Even if you sip it all year round, there’s nothing like drinking rosé in the warm weather; it almost feels essential! With the rosé market blowing up, it’s hard to pick just one rosé and choices can be tough to decipher in the store. Here’s a great list of six rosés to sip this spring!

BertaniBertarose–From Veneto, Italy, this bright and fruit driven rosé is made from Molinara and Merlot grapes. On the nose, it’s striking with bright red fruit, flowers, and citrus, which follows through to a refreshing and lively palate. This wine is so much fun to drink, and works well with sunny days, seafood, and even barbeque ribs! $15.99

Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc Rosé-Made with Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot grapes, this New Zealand wine is striking with bright acidity, nice red fruit notes, and typical New Zealand flavors. Some tropical notes come through on the nose while the palate is full of “strawberry shortcake” – yealands.co.nz. What’s interesting about these wines is that all the vines grow up listening to classical music, which helps stimulate growth! This unique wine is one not to miss on your must-have rosés list! $14.99

Mas de la Dame Gourmande Rosé– From Provence, France this beautiful rosé is made from the typical grapes including Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cinsault. Mas de la Dame, or “farm of the lady” is owned by Anne Poniatowski and Caroline Missoffe who, together with consultant Jean-Luc Colombo, the most influential winemaker in the Rhone Valley! On the nose, this wine is ripe with red berries, peaches, blood orange, and rose petal. On the palate, it’s crisp with a lot of those beautiful fruit forward notes coming through. This is a great rosé to bring to picnics, barbeques, and pool sides! $19.99

Commanderie de Peyrassol Rosé AOP Côtes de Provence- Made from Syrah, Cinsault, Grenache, Ugni Blanc, and Rolle grapes, this wine is radiating and fresh showcasing fresh red fruit and vine peaches. Some floral aromas come through opening up to a bright full-bodied palate. This wine is stunning with a lingering finish, and pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables and fish. $19.99

Attems Pinot Grigio Ramato Rosé- This is a unique wine if you’re not used to having a Pinot Grigio Rosé! Attems continues the traditional way of producing Pinot Grigio in the province of Venice, Italy. The term Ramato means “coppery,” is used to describe the pink hue of the wine, which is due to the slight contact with the purple skins before pressing and fermenting. This rosé expresses a rich and fruity bouquet, which opens fully on the palate, with complex and alluring flavors. $21

Canella Brut Rosé- 100% Pinot Nero from Italy, this Prosecco lively and fragrant. Lorenzo Canella saw far ahead when producing this style of wine, focusing on wines that were light, white, and refreshing. He wanted to produce sparkling wines that set off Veneto’s own fine varieties and catered to newer, modern tastes. This wine is a pale peach color with aromas of cranberry, strawberry, and a nice creamy palate. $23

Stay tuned for more rosé roundups, but wanted to showcase six you should be sipping this spring and even can continue into summer with. Rosé is a lifestyle, and these six have been the top on my list so far due to their pair-ability, gifting potential, and overall style.

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love… please pair responsibly!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/six-roses-to-sip-this-spring/feed/0Hip Hip Hooray! It’s National Disaronno Day!http://www.somminthecity.com/hip-hip-hooray-its-national-disaronno-day/
http://www.somminthecity.com/hip-hip-hooray-its-national-disaronno-day/#respondWed, 17 Apr 2019 09:27:29 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12717April 19th we celebrate National Disaronno Day! This well-known iconic brand exudes elegance and class. Disaronno has been the world’s favorite Italian liqueur for centuries with its history beginning in one of the most creative periods in Italian history: the Renaissance. Today, Disaronno has attracted the interest of consumers of all age groups, thanks to […]

]]>April 19th we celebrate National Disaronno Day! This well-known iconic brand exudes elegance and class. Disaronno has been the world’s favorite Italian liqueur for centuries with its history beginning in one of the most creative periods in Italian history: the Renaissance. Today, Disaronno has attracted the interest of consumers of all age groups, thanks to its distinctive imprinting and versatility, offering a multi-sensory experience.

I had the pleasure of sipping with the Disaronno team this month in honor of the upcoming national day, and I was so pleasantly surprised by the array of cocktails Disaronno can be in. Not going to lie, I really never knew what to do with my Disaronno bottle on my bar, and would only make Godfather cocktails in my home. It wasn’t until this event where I tasted a Disaronno Spritz as well as some other crafted cocktails that I realized just how versatile it is.

For those of you seeking another cool cocktail, besides the God Father, which is simply whiskey mixed with Disaronno, and garnished with an orange peel. Here’s one to get you through today… and even the upcoming Kentucky Derby in May!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/hip-hip-hooray-its-national-disaronno-day/feed/0Livermore Valley Wines!http://www.somminthecity.com/livermore-valley-wines/
http://www.somminthecity.com/livermore-valley-wines/#respondSun, 14 Apr 2019 10:43:49 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12704This may sound silly since I have tasted hundreds of wines in my life, but until recently, I had not had the pleasure of tasting many wines from the Livermore Valley in California! This area is ideal for grape growing with warm sunny days, cool nights, and a breeze from the bay. The warm sunny […]

This may sound silly since I have tasted hundreds of wines in my life, but until recently, I had not had the pleasure of tasting many wines from the Livermore Valley in California! This area is ideal for grape growing with warm sunny days, cool nights, and a breeze from the bay. The warm sunny days help develop the fruit forward characteristics in the wines, while the cooler nights help the vines keep their acidity, allowing wineries to hang the fruit longer without developing too much sugar.

I had the wonderful opportunity recently to join Livermore Valley Winemakers for lunch at Villanelle, NYC. Here we tasted a selection of their wines from white to rosé and plenty of reds! The first sip was a glass of Lola, by Stephen Kent Winery. Stephen Kent produces this wine from Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes. The Semillon adds viscosity while the Sauvignon Blanc adds cleanness and elegance. Lola is a limited quantity wine, and they only produce 400 cases per year. This wine sips beautifully as an aperitif, however, it easily pairs well with spring and summer dishes too.

After the Lola, we tasted Longevity Pinot Blanc, which has won Best White Wine in Livermore the last two years. Phil Long, winemaker and his wife thought of the name after being inspired by “live long and love”, something everyone desires. This is a small family-owned winery and the Pinot Blanc was crisp and refreshing. It has nice fruit forward notes with a lot of structure and attractive acidity. I really enjoyed this wine with Villanelle’s Macerated Brussels Sprouts, because of the salty cheddar, combined with the fresh sprouts and crunchy cashews really complimented the wine and vice versa. Alongside the Longevity we also enjoyed the Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay which is an interesting wine that spends some time on its lees, which produces a nice creaminess in the wine; very California in style. They don’t use new barrels for this wine however, to keep it soft. They want the oak influence, but still, want the wine to shine and I think they have absolutely captured that! This wine is striking with minerality notes from the gravel soils, followed by apple, pear, and citrus notes and flavors.

It’s always such a pleasure when the winemakers come to NYC and showcase their wines. I love learning about how they got into wine, as well as their inspiration and goals. Winemaking is such an art and sometimes art inspires them, like Darcie Kent Winery, who showcases art on the labels. They have a gallery on site, and these beautiful works of art look absolutely stunning as bottle labels. The wine, however, is just as beautiful! I tasted the Darcie Kent Rosé which is a beautiful blush color and made from Malbec grapes. It’s a clean wine with bright floral aromas, fresh strawberry, and even has a charitable side, in which they donate some of the proceeds for this wine to their favorite charities. Darcie Kent winery also makes a Fire Pit Red wine that is nice and balanced with beautiful aromas of cherry, raspberry, spice, and plums. On the palate, it’s smooth and delicious, and honestly… perfect for sitting by a fire pit!

For lunch, I decided on the Amish Chicken with Pomme Puree and Cipollini onions. It was a great pairing with the reds that were featured and I really enjoyed the Wood Family Vineyard Merlot due to its juiciness, fruit-forward notes, and overall deliciousness. Alongside the Merlot was also a 2011 Lineage Bordeaux Blend, which is a wine inspired by Bordeaux except using Livermore grapes, and it’s phenomenal! This wine has big acid, nice tannins, and is made from 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. It’s a lovely wine with elegance and age-ability that you will absolutely enjoy now or in many years (if you cellar it).

Overall if you haven’t tasted wines from this area yet, I highly recommend you do. The prices are competitive with California and the wines are worth it. If you enjoy wines with a lot of fruit, minerality, and personality then these wines are for you. It’s always hard to pick a favorite but if I had to choose my top three would be the Longevity Pinot Blanc, Darcie Kent Rosé, and Woods Merlot!

]]>http://www.somminthecity.com/livermore-valley-wines/feed/0Fleurs De Prairie Roséhttp://www.somminthecity.com/fleurs-de-prairie-rose/
http://www.somminthecity.com/fleurs-de-prairie-rose/#respondMon, 08 Apr 2019 17:44:12 +0000http://www.somminthecity.com/?p=12700I recently had the pleasure of tasting a delicious and beautiful rosé here in NYC at an event filled with flower crowns and charcuterie! Fleurs De Prairie is a rosé from Côtes de Provence and the name translates to “Wild Flowers” which is what you will find fields of in Provence. This wine celebrates the […]

]]>I recently had the pleasure of tasting a delicious and beautiful rosé here in NYC at an event filled with flower crowns and charcuterie! FleursDePrairie is a rosé from Côtes de Provence and the name translates to “Wild Flowers” which is what you will find fields of in Provence. This wine celebrates the beauty of this flower filled region, which also gives coastal and oceanic influence to wine.

This rosé is made from Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, and other French varietals. It’s an elegant wine that’s Palme salmon in color with delicate red fruit notes including currants, raspberries, and some citrus on the finish. It’s bright with nice acidity and makes the perfect aperitif for spring and summer sipping.

With the rosé market being so saturated right now, it’s hard to really define the rosé you want. I fell in love with this wine within the first sip! The limestone soils play a nice role in the mineral notes you will find in the wine, and the Mediterranean sun, combined with the coastal winds and hillsides make the ideal growing condition.

The bottle is also stunning, and has flowers etched in, which will make a beautiful vase for your own flowers once you’re finished drinking this delightful wine. Overall this is a great aperitif however if you wanted to pair it with food I absolutely recommend seafood, charcuterie, fruit salsas, and tapas.

Besides the wonderful wine,Fleurs de Prairie rosé officially launched the Seeds of Beauty campaign as an extension of its mission, to shine light on the beauty in the world through building connections and supporting one another. They have highlighted some amazing females in different industries who are making moves, and show beauty, strength, and passion.

Overall this wine is perfect to sip this time of year and makes an ideal gift for Easter and Mother’s Day as well. It’s something everyone will love whether you enjoy a fruit forward wine or a wine with nice elegance and personality.

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly.